Institute of Sport, Exercise and Health
Study for an exciting and active career. New Zealand is world-renowned for its sports, exercise, wellbeing and adventure industries. We’re proud to train some of the best and brightest professionals in this field.
Our undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications are designed to help you develop practical skills while building a strong theoretical understanding.
We help build your knowledge base through various means identified to help practice what you learn. These could be work placements, client interactions, practical fieldwork and many more avenues. With our supporting staff and lecturers, you will graduate with confidence in yourself and your skills.
The Institute of Sport, Exercise and Health is Otago Polytechnic’s specialist sport, health and wellness centre. Located in the Sargood Centre in the heart of Logan Park, Dunedin, the institute offers a range of exciting and innovative programmes designed for the active body and mind.
“I really liked the fact that it wasn’t just theory, but also a lot of practical work. The learning environment was great and the lecturers were very helpful.”
Manassah Kutia
Bachelor of Applied Science
Dunedin-based programmes
Central Otago-based programmes
Deepen your knowledge with postgraduate study
Acquire advanced knowledge in a particular field with our suite of postgraduate programmes.
Industry Placements
Gain real-world experience, enhance your employment potential, and form valuable relationships and insights through industry placements.
We have built a strong network with the local, national and international sports, health and wellness industry that you can benefit directly from.
Our New Zealand-based industry placement partners are high performance sports teams, local clubs and organisations:
- Community Health
- Football South
- Highlanders Rugby Team
- Otago ITM Cup Rugby Team
- Otago Nuggets
- Southern Steel
- Schools and sports clubs
- Workplace Wellness
Our International industry placement partners include:
- Canterbury Bulldogs (Australia NRL)
- Dartmouth College (USA)
- Fiji – Tonga – Samoa Rugby Unions
- GP Sports
- Stellenbosch Academy of Sport (South Africa)
- USA Rugby
Student stories
Our facilities
The main difference about studying with us is our collection of facilities that ensure our students receive the best practical experiences.
Dunedin campus
Located in the heart of Logan Park, the Sargood Centre is part of Dunedin city’s sports hub – home to the indoor Forsyth Barr Stadium, the University Oval cricket ground, rugby fields, the Caledonian athletics track, McMillan hockey turf and the Unipol Recreation Centre. The Centre was opened in 2013 and offers attractive, modern facilities, including well-equipped teaching and learning suites, and a state-of-the-art gymnasium, Tapuae Gym.
A large open atrium area, known as The Gallery, is a learning commons for students from all programmes. Students gather to study, collaborate and converse here, fostering a community of learning within the Institute.
Central Campus
Otago Polytechnic’s Central campus boasts excellent facilities for its Adventure, Sports Turf and Snow Sports programmes.
- Sports Turf Management: close proximity to professional sports facilities, as well as the outdoor training area that has been established specifically to cater for this qualification.
- Snow Sports: take advantage of the facilities at the Cardrona Alpine Resort – the spectacular winter playground of the Southern Alps is your classroom.
Discover more at the Institute of Sport, Exercise & Health
- Read the research conducted by our postgraduate students.
Provide learners with real life experience
Our learners can add value to your organisation through internships and research projects.
Research stories to inspire
We encourage applied research to support teaching and community needs, available to all.
Contact us
If you want to know more about what we offer or you would like some guidance, we’re here to help. Feel free to chat to us directly about any questions you may have.
